Mack Brown Resigns as Coach

Kevin Flaherty

12/14/2013

Mack Brown will resign from his spot as the head coach of the Texas football program, LonghornDigest.com learned Saturday.

Brown decided that he would resign on Saturday afternoon, then told the team after its initial bowl practice on Saturday that he planned to step down as boss of the Longhorns. He is expected to coach the Valero Alamo Bowl as his final game.

"Sally and I were brought to Texas 16 years ago to pull together a football program that was divided. With a lot of passion, hard work and determination from the kids, coaches and staff, we did that," Brown said. "We built a strong football family, reached great heights and accomplished a lot, and for that, I thank everyone. It's been a wonderful ride. Now, the program is again being pulled in different directions, and I think the time is right for a change. I love The University of Texas, all of its supporters, the great fans and everyone that played and coached here. I can't thank DeLoss Dodds enough for bringing our family here, and Bill Powers and the administration for supporting us at a place where I have made lifelong friendships.

"It is the best coaching job and the premier football program in America," Brown said. "I sincerely want it to get back to the top and that's why I am stepping down after the bowl game. I hope with some new energy, we can get this thing rolling again."

Many targeted the banquet, or just before it, as an ideal step-down time, but Brown expressed a desire to return in a Friday afternoon meeting with athletics director Steve Patterson and UT President Bill Powers. Shortly afterward, alleged top Texas target Nick Saban announced that he had come to an agreement with Alabama for a contract extension, and it appeared that Brown might get his wish.

Brown's buyout is $2.75 million, though he's expected to receive more than that by staying on in an advisory role.

"We appreciate everything Mack has done for The University of Texas," Patterson said. "He's been a tremendous coach, mentor, leader and ambassador for our university and our student-athletes. He is truly a college football legend. I've had a number of talks with him recently, and he has always said he wanted what was best for The University of Texas. I know this decision weighed heavily on him, and today he told us he's ready to move forward."

Brown will step down as Texas's second-winningest coach, with his 158 wins trailing Darrell Royal's 167 victories by nine. And Brown gave Texas nine straight 10-plus-win seasons from 2001-2009 before the team hit a rough patch in 2010 with a 5-7 season. Brown then re-made the coaching staff, with the team grabbing eight wins in 2011 and nine in 2012. Texas currently sits at 8-4 heading to the bowl game.

"This is a very difficult day for everyone in The University of Texas family," Powers said. "Mack Brown is one of the best football coaches in the country, a tremendous representative of our University, and, most importantly, a great friend. He has produced championship teams with tremendous student-athletes and has always done so with the utmost class and integrity. Mack is just the best and he will be missed.

"With that said, I'm excited for the future and the opportunity to work with him in a new capacity for the years to come and am thrilled that he and Sally will remain part of our family," Powers said. "He is an unbelievable resource for us and will always be a valuable member of the Longhorn community."

Stay on LonghornDigest.com for more information on this developing story.